# Circuit for solar panel

I have done with a solar panel powered mobile charger. This is how it is now

Solar Panel(5W,8V(max),0.59A(max)) -> 7806(5.4V normally) -> Female USB -> Mobile

Since 78XX just reduces the voltage,takes so much time for my mobile to get charged, because of low current. Is there a way, something like Buck converter that would practically work for this case? Any reference would be helpful.

With this circuit you think you will feed the USB with a max of 0.59A or 0.59*5.4W = just over 3 watts.

In fact you probably don't get that much since 7806 should regulate at 6V, so it is probably only being fed 6-7 volts and not 8V. 8V is the highest voltage you will see from the cell and only with no load in bright sunlight.

Likewise the 0.59A rating is only achieved at zero volts, i.e. into a short circuit.

This is the way these panels are specified. There is a published curve available from the manufacturer that plots Vols and current vs incident light.

The maximum voltage or current is only achieved at maximum incident light on the panel in noonday sun and at a voltage less than the maximum. Check with a voltmeter and ammeter to see what is actually happening.

Additionally, the 7806 is dropping whatever the difference is between the output of the solar panel and 5.4V as heat. You are likely overheating it and it will drop the current supply to avoid being destroyed.

if 7806 gets hot, try fitting a heatsink.

You can also try a small switching power supply from eBay, DX etc. This is a ready made buck converter. They are reasonably priced and will give 2-5 amps. They are also much more efficient in this type of application, providing approx.

watts out =approx 0.9 * watts in


provided they are operated within their specifications.

In this situation, a small car charger that fits into a cigarette lighter may work 6-8V you get is probably not sufficient. Use two panels in series

Yes, a Buck converter could bring some improvements. But to get the most energy possible, you would need a MPPT-Controller (Maximum Power Point Tracking).

We have linear regulators and Non-linear ones. Linear Regulators like 78xx reduce voltage by converting excess voltage to heat, so they have very low efficiency at most 15% . In other hand there are Non-Linear regulators or switching regulators like LM2575 series . These regulators change voltage by switching techniques and have efficiency of at least 80% in most cases.

Then using a switching regulator when its pureness of harmonics is out of considerations, will improve your efficiency and deliver more power to you to charging your external device in this case.